Vitalant is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and pre-diabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in September.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of people lack access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed.
Within a week of donating, donors can check their A1C level and other wellness results in their confidential, online account.
The first week of September is also National Blood Donation Week, a good reminder to highlight how vitally important volunteer blood donors are in the region. Vitalant urges all who are eligible to donate blood and save lives in both planned medical treatments and emergencies.
